MARINE BIOLOGICAL STATION AT PORT ERIN. 15 



that work of this character is only of minor importance — that it is not a great 

 matter to make some addition to the long catalogue of our Alg?e, or to add a 

 new variety to our lists, of the Annelids ; but then I may remind you that 

 most of the great inventions and discoveries of the world have been almost 

 accidentally found by men, like yourselves, labouring only in the cause of 

 truth, and that every advance in our knowledge adds to the power of mankind, 

 and raises him a little higher from the brute, a little nearer towards the angel. 

 It is, then, both our duty and our interest to welcome — as on behalf of the 

 people of this Island I do venture to welcome — you here who are working in 

 the cause of truth, and I may say that whatever may be your own labours, or 

 Avhatever revelations you may have in store for ns, we may be at least certain 

 that as a result of your discoveries truth will prevail ; for it is as true now as 

 it was in the days of Darius — if I may quote one of the noblest passages in 

 the realm of literature, which has unfortunately been excluded from our 

 Bibles^that truth is strongest. ' ' As for the truth, it endureth and is always 

 strong, it liveth and conquereth for evermore." (Hear, hear). I have great 

 pleasure in declaring this biological station open. (Loud applause). 



The Governor then opened the door of the building, and the party entered 

 and made a minute inspection of the premises, and its biological treasures and 

 apparatus, and after recording their names in the visitors' book, an adjourn- 

 ment was made to the Bellevue Hotel, for luncheon, which was served up 

 in excellent style by Mr. Clague. Professor Herdman presided, and was sup- 

 ported right and left by his Excellency and the Bishop j\Ir. Thompson was 

 the chairman vis-a-vis. The ]\Ienu w^as as follows : — 

 SYSTEMA EPULARUM. 

 " Infusio " (sive Jus) — Cauda bovina. 

 Pisces — Gadus morrhua (Ostrea edulis). 

 Aves — Gallus bankivus, var. domest. (tost. — decoq.) 

 Mammalia — Bos taurus, var. monensis. 



Ovis aries (Capparis spinosa) 

 Do., juv. 

 Crustacea — Homarus vulgaris (Lactuca scariola, var.) 

 Amorpliozoa — -Puddings, Custards. 



Plantic — Fruit-tarts. 



Incertfe sedis — Jellies, Blancmange. 



Varia — Desert, Nicotiana tabacum, Caffea Arabica. 



The toast list was as follows -.—"The Queen," proposed by the chairman, 



(Professor Herdman) ; " His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor." proposed 



by the chairman, responded to by His Excellency; "The Lord Bishop of 



Sodorand Man," proposed by Sir James Poole, responded to by the Bishop ; 



"The Legislature of the Isle of Man," proposed by Mr. A. 0. Walker, J. P., 



responded to by Mr. W. A, Stevenson, H,K. ; "The Isle of Man :N"atural 



